The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 31, 2006- 3
'U' hospital slips a notch, remains highly ranked
Douglas Strong named director
and Chief Executive Officer of the
'U' hospitals and health centers
By Aditya Jain
For theDaily
In this year's U.S. News and World Report's "Amer-
ica's Best Hospitals," the University Hospital dropped
one spot to twelfth, but still consistently ranked high
in all of the magazine's sub-categories.
The hospital is one of 14 to qualify for the mag-
azine's honor roll by placing at or near the top of at
least six of 16 specialty fields.
Of 5,189 hospitals, only 3 percent - 176 in all
- are ranked in one or more categories. The Univer-
sity hospital is ranked in all specialties. The Ear, Nose
and Throat program, which ranked fifth, earned the
hospital's highest rating.
The magazine staff considers various factors
including mortality and morbidity data and surveys
administered by the American Medical Association
and AMA physicians. But, only AMA physicians
- who are concerned with the fields' reputations
- evaluate five of the specialty fields - pediat-
rics, psychiatry, rheumatology, ophthalmology and
rehabilitation.
The complex rankings system has met criti-
cism as some hospitals systems across the country
have argued that the system is limited in scope
and does not take into account all of the data that
is available, said University hospital spokesman
Michael Harrison.
Harrison said he believes the rankings pro-
cess should give less weight to reputation and
more to other factors, such as mortality and
morbidity data.
This year, the magazine removed geriatrics from
consideration in the rankings, which may be a con-
tributing factor to the hospital's drop in rank.
Hospital officials said the field was omitted
because the magazine researchers felt most geriatric
treatment was based on primary care rather than on
specialized treatment.
The hospital has consistently scored well in geriat-
rics in the past, Harrison said.
Next year, the hospital will compete in the rank-
ings under new leadership.
Douglas Strong was recently appointed director
and chief executive officer of the University hospital
and health centers. The Board of Regents approved
Strong earlier this month.
Strong will oversee the University Hospital, includ-
ing the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and the Wom-
en's Hospital as well as 30 health centers and 120
outpatient clinics.
The hospitals and health centers make up
one-third of the University health system, which
also encompasses the medical school and the M-
CARE health plan.
Strong served as interim CEO since this past
October, when Larry Warren retired from the
position.
As CEO, Strong will retain his title as associate
vice president for Health System Finance and Strategy
- a position that includes managing operations and
budget planning across the University health system.
Strong will earn roughly $490,000, making him
one of the highest paid University employees.
Robert Kelch, CEO of the health system and
executive vice president for medical affairs, is con-
fident in Douglas Strong's leadership and ability to
achieve the vision for the University hospital and
health systems.
"Douglas Strong is exceptionally qualified in
administration and budget planning. That makes him
an ideal candidate for the position," Kelch said. "I am
confident of his ability to channel the enormous bud-
get of $1.5 billion into the appropriate areas."
A closer exam
The 'U' hospital made the
honor roil by ranking in at
least six specialties.
- The hospital's
overall ranking.
Ranking in ear,
nose and throat
-the highest-
rated program.
Ranking in
rehabilitation.
Ranking in
urology.
Source: U.S. News and World
Report "America's Best Hospitals"
ELECTION
Continued from Page 1
pieced together from three city-
owned properties near the west side
of Main Street.
As a founder of the project, Schmerl
said Greenway will help the city economi-
cally while preserving the creek.
The debate arose because an active
railroad is currently located in the pro-
posed area. Meyers said that though
creating a park will help the city, there
is no evidence that Allen Creek is the
right location.
"There is a problem with public
tax money being used to take away
private railroads," Kunselman said.
Kunselman said the city should
focus its priorities on parks for chil-
dren, which will be most valuable
located in their own neighborhoods.
Looking for apparent differences in
their campaigns, some candidates use
light-hearted anecdotes to win over vot-
ers. "I'm the only candidate that does
stand-up comedy and can quote Shake-
speare," Ankli said.
Because the August primary will effec-
tively determine the November election,
candidates are working to increase turn-
out at the polls.
"Unfortunately, there is low voter turn-
out in August and outlets to reach the
public are limited, so we need to look to
sources such as personal websites to com-
municate with voters," Meyers said.
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